by Shana Gray
No words. Just a look and the touch of his hands on her shoulders, and then she was in his arms. Hers wrapped around his neck, she pressed herself to his strength. She tipped her head back, and her blood raced thicker, hotter in her veins as his gaze roved over her face, lingering on her mouth and then back up to her eyes.
“I never expected this to happen,” she whispered.
“What to happen?” He smiled and she was so thoroughly enchanted, her eyes filled with unexpected tears.
“This. You. Here.”
“Ah, I see. Well, I can say the same, hemahema.”
Then his lips were on hers. His hands in her hair. His body crushed to hers. His heat enveloped them, along with the sounds of the forest they stood in. Jimi heard every noise—the leaves, the wind in them, the water in the pool, even the horses way off in the distance as they stamped their hooves. Most important, she heard Dallas, the deep intake of his breath as his mouth moved over hers. His tongue at her lips, pressing and asking for entry. Entry she would never ever deny him.
Jimi moaned, opening her mouth. Her body flared to life when his tongue swept inside seeking hers. She met him and it was like he drew her into his body, his soul. Engulfing her in his essence and very being. Then all was silent as she became so in tune to him. The thumping of his heart next to her breasts. Her own heart beating in frantic rhythm. The way he pulled her hair, deliciously demanding, forcing her head back. She clutched his shoulders, hanging on as if she might spin off the world he’d just tipped on its axis. Nothing had been normal since she’d met him the other day.
I don’t ever want it to be normal again. A little voice spoke to her, whispering so quietly it was hard to hear until it became so loud she couldn’t ignore it even if she wanted to.
* * *
DALLAS WAS GLAD he’d brought her here. Her response delighted him. He’d hoped she would like this special place as much as he did. Taking her in his arms and kissing her until she hung limp in his arms was becoming far too important to him. To feel her, taste her, smell her had become like a drug he’d become addicted to. She was working her way under his skin. He’d told himself for the time being that was fine. She’d be on her way after their unintended fling and it would be aloha for them, and then what? Be on their merry way with only memories to hold them?
He hated that thought and gripped her tighter, fisting his hand into her thick curls, pulling her head back with a determination and possessiveness he wanted her to feel. Dallas searched her mouth with his tongue, as if to imprint her, in case he never kissed her again. Despair at that very unsettling thought impaled him. He pushed her back until she was pinned between him and a tree. She didn’t complain and clung to him as if her life depended on it.
I like that. I want her to depend on me. Dallas knew she was an independent woman with a business of her own. Could she ever truly depend on him? Or need him?
Her sweet, soft moans drove him to distraction. He wanted to take her here, now in the wild of his Hawaiian ranch. Just the two of them in the forest, with nothing but the sounds of nature to witness their loving.
A shrill ring made him start. It took a moment before Dallas realized his satellite phone had come to life at the most inopportune time. Normally he’d ignore it, not letting it interrupt them, but today he had to take the call, all things considered.
“Mmm,” he murmured into her mouth before breaking the kiss. “I gotta take this.”
Dallas gazed down at her face. His stomach tightened, and it reached right down into his balls. She was exquisite. Perfect. Her eyes closed, lips shiny and plump after his kissing, chest heaving with her rising passion made him regret his choice.
Keeping his hand pushed into her hair, Dallas juggled the phone with the other. “What?” he barked.
“It’s Tucker. The river is low enough to get across now. We’re packing up and ready to go by the time you ride back.”
Sounded like his brother wasn’t leaving room for discussion. In any event, the people would want to get back down to civilization anyhow. Dallas switched his gaze from looking off into the forest to Jimi. Her eyes were open and she was watching him.
“Yeah, see you soon,” he told Tucker before ending the call. Jimi was looking at the pond, a wistful expression on her face. What was she thinking? “So, looks like we’re no longer stranded.”
“I gathered as much. That means we can leave.” It wasn’t a question, simply a statement. She turned to him and he was surprised to see a flash of sadness in her eyes. “The last few days have been very surreal, completely unexpected, exciting and strange, and I’ve had the time of my life. Even if I was scared out of my mind for the most part of it.”
Dallas pulled her into a bear hug, kissing the top of her head. He liked how her arms slipped around his waist and held him tight. “I wouldn’t have let anything happen to any of the guests.” He wanted to say to you, but the words wouldn’t come.
* * *
THE RIDE BACK down to the camp seemed to fly by. Jimi couldn’t pull her attention from Dallas. He looked so damn good in the saddle, he was born to ride. He led the way back down the trail and she tried to take in the sights around her. The beauty of the island surrounded them and she wanted to absorb it all. Imprint it into her memory so she would never forget the experiences here.
The frenzy of the camp was palpable when they arrived. Dallas pulled up at the barn and dismounted, looping his reins over a post. Jimi followed suit and stroked her gelding’s neck, watching all the activity around her. Dallas was immediately swarmed by the wranglers. Clearly he was boss hog here, and they all looked to him for guidance. He glanced at her, gave her a wink and shrugged his shoulder. She took it as an apology that he no longer had time to spend with her. She forced a smile even though her belly was in knots and nodded, watching as he walked into the barn.
Still petting the horse’s neck, Jimi was surprised when he came back out of the barn a few seconds later.
“One of the hands will take care of the horse. You might want to head over to your tent and make sure nothing is left behind. Then meet everyone down at the trucks.” He glanced around and then swooped in for a quick kiss before turning and jogging back into the barn before Jimi could even process the kiss and the fact that he was gone.
She furrowed her brows, wondering why he acted so surreptitiously around her. She stroked the horse’s nose, enjoying the silky warmth of his coat. She wasn’t about to jump to conclusions where Dallas was concerned, because she had no claim over him anyway. Now that this debacle of a ranch trip was coming to a close, it likely meant their fling was over, as well. Her belly turned over and she felt a little ill at the thought. How could that be, though, after only a couple of days together? But she did have to admit they had been an amazing few days in so many ways.
Moments later a wrangler from the barn came out and she led her horse over to him.
“Thank you.”
“It’s my pleasure, ma’am. I’m so sorry about the weather.”
“Don’t be silly. You had nothing to do with that. Nobody did. It was just bad circumstance.”
“Thank you. I hope you enjoy the rest of your stay in Hawaii.”
The ranch hand led the horse into the barn. Jimi followed and looked into the building. It was hard to believe they’d spent the past couple of days taking refuge inside this place. Truth be told, she was glad now that it was over. Not the time spent with Dallas, though—she would never regret what they’d shared together. Roughing it had brought her crashing back to childhood memories that she’d worked so hard to forget. No one knew what the future held or what kind of hurdles would be thrown in their path, and these last few days had proved that.
Jimi glanced at the sky, glad to see the dark clouds were breaking up even more now. The blue sky was a welcome sight, and she had a flurry of excitement for the rest of her
stay in Hawaii. Three days into a three-week stay, a well-deserved holiday she couldn’t deny.
Finding her tent, she poked her head inside to see if anything had been left behind. There really wasn’t much to forget. Her dress and shoes and purse must be already packed in the truck. The few items of borrowed clothing sat on the bed and she scooped them up, wanting to make sure they were returned to their rightful owners after they had been laundered at the hotel.
Hotel.
She glanced over her shoulder at the tent, clearly having taken a beating from the hurricane. It was so far from the five-star accommodations she was accustomed to that she actually laughed out loud. She’d adjusted quite well and enjoyed herself. Even with all the inconveniences. But she was eagerly looking forward to her suite. To be clean, pampered, in her own clothes. Jimi sighed, imagining a day at the spa.
Down at the trucks, everybody was loaded up, and she squished into the back of the cube van with the rest of the group.
“Is there any room for me?” she inquired, and gave a bright smile to the rest of the weather-battered crowd as she folded herself into a tiny little spot.
“You betcha, honey.” An older woman slid over and made room for her on a box. “We’ve all been pretty cozied up the last few days—nothing like a little bit more togetherness.”
Jimi laughed, as did the woman and the rest of the wedding guests. The excitement inside the truck was catchy, and everyone was chattering at the same time. The battery lanterns illuminated the inside.
“Okay, folks.” One of the two ranch hands at the back of the truck called out, “We’re going to lower the door and I hope you’re all comfy in there. It’s about a half-hour drive back down to the main house, providing the roads aren’t too rough. You might get bounced around in there a bit, so if you need us just bang on the wall behind the cab.” He pointed to the front. “Okay. You’re all good? Closing the door.”
Jimi looked out the opening, trying to find Dallas or at least catch a glimpse of him. Then the door slid shut, sealing them all off from the outside. It took a moment for Jimi’s eyes to adjust to the gloom. She sighed and shook her head. This was the last kind of holiday experience she had ever expected in a million years.
9
JIMI PAUSED IN front of the door to her suite. She was booked into the Kou Suite at the Four Seasons Hualalai. Turning the key, she pushed the door and the cool, elegant rooms greeted her. She gasped. It was absolutely stunning. A complete opposite from where she’d spent the last few days.
Jimi stood in the middle of the living area and gazed around. It was the most beautiful hotel room she’d ever seen. The furniture and appointments were lovely and gave a wonderful tropical feel. Decorated in such a way that she truly felt she was in Hawaii. Unlike her recent accommodations in the barn.
Winged by two bedrooms, the living area was gracious and seemed huge the way it flowed openly to the lanai. Beyond that was the beach only steps from the railing and then the ocean. The bedroom on the left had two queen beds. She knew the other one on the right must be the master bedroom. The view from the king-size bed matched the living area’s. Breathtaking. Sliding doors led to the lanai, with trees nicely shading the lounge chairs covered with colorful pillows. She looked at the big bed, and it reminded her of the cot she’d shared with Dallas.
I wonder if we’ll ever have a chance to share a large bed like that?
She shoved the thought aside and turned around. Another door led to what looked like a dressing room. She wandered in to the walk-in closet. Her suitcases sat inside. She’d completely forgotten about her lost bags and that in itself was a revelation. She opened a folded note on top of a chest of drawers.
“Your wedding dress is being pressed and will be returned shortly.”
Thank God! She was dying to make sure it hadn’t been damaged. Could she trust the hotel laundry to handle the dress appropriately? On a sudden urge she picked up the phone on the table behind her and pressed the button for her butler.
“Yes, Ms. Calloway.”
“Hello. I’m calling about the wedding dress that was in my luggage. I found the note that said it had been taken to be pressed. I can’t stress enough that this dress must not be damaged and utmost care must be taken with it.”
“I can assure you, Ms. Calloway, it will be very carefully pressed.”
Jimi let out a sigh of relief. “Thank you.”
“My pleasure, Ms. Calloway. Please call if you require anything else.”
“Thank you. Goodbye.”
Relief flooded through her—the photo spread would be perfect. Because rather than the exquisite dress she’d designed being paraded around at a hoedown, it would be in a luxurious hotel. On the beach. Where it belonged, just like the rest of her clothes. The butler had unpacked and everything hung neatly or had been folded and tucked away in the drawers. She sighed and sent a silent thank-you for butler service. Everything would be done for her. Every whim, need and desire attended to before she even had a chance to think what exactly it was she wanted. Butlers, in her experience, read minds. It was their job and she’d never been disappointed with butlers.
Yet, for the first time, she was thinking twice about it. Jimi sighed and shoved the drawer shut. There was no joy. No excitement. Just meh. She thought about this for a moment and wondered why what would once have given her such pleasure didn’t have the same luster. She continued on with her exploration of the rooms, trying not to dwell on her new unsettled feelings.
Just beyond the dressing room was a bathroom unlike anything she’d ever seen. A large glass-walled shower was on the left wall, with a double-sink vanity on the facing wall. A lovely deep bathtub, which could easily fit two people, on the right. What was even more stunning and totally unexpected was the glass wall behind the tub to a private, outside shower. It was a pity she had no one to share this opulence with.
Dallas.
She eyed the bathtub. A long soak in a bubble bath would be heaven and wash off the past few days. She remembered the brief moment they’d had together in the rain as the storm had eased. The only bathing had come from standing in the rain. The two of them, their faces turned up to the sky as they were drenched in the freshness of the rainfall. How he’d smoothed the hair out of her face, held her cheeks and kissed her in the rain, which had led to her frantically getting his clothes off and him stripping her. Until they were naked in nature.
Jimi shivered now, remembering the delicious feel of his hands sliding down her slick body until he had grasped her ass and lifted. She’d clung to him. Arms around his neck, legs circling his thighs like a vise as he drove his cock deep inside her. It hadn’t taken long for her to come, nor him. Something about their lovemaking was so powerful, raw, it blew her mind. It was never gentle, or could really ever be called lovemaking. It was fucking with an abandon that was unlike her. A hot tingle ran down her spine... They’d not used a condom. She thought about that for a moment, and realized she wasn’t all that concerned about it. Being with Dallas was the best thing that had ever happened to her. He’d taken her to places she’d never been and never wanted to leave.
She swiped the tear that hovered on the edge of her eyelid, something else that was new to her. This sense of tenderness and emotion that thoughts of him roused in her. No man had ever done that before. Perhaps because she never let them. Seeing how her mom had tried so hard for her dad’s affection and never gotten it had burned a deep scar. Jimi wanted a man who would be her one and only, treat her special and not move on to someone else when or if he ever grew tired of her. It was something she’d be unable to control, unlike her business and career, which was hers and hers alone.
Jimi hugged herself as her body trembled, remembering his skillful touch. If she showered or bathed, she would be washing him off her, and she wasn’t ready to do that yet. She wanted to hang on to her Dallas just a little b
it longer.
She wandered back through the rooms thinking about him. Would she see him again? What was he doing? Was he thinking of her? She hadn’t even had the chance to say goodbye to him once they got back down to the big house. The bus had been waiting to take everybody to the hotels and he was still up at the camp. It was all so hectic. Kicking off the borrowed boots, Jimi stepped across the tile floor out to the private lanai that ran the width of her suite, where she toed off the socks, also borrowed, and enjoyed the feel of the warm wood beneath her feet.
The view was spectacular. Frangipani and bougainvillea bushes in full bloom ringed the lanai and scented the air. Such a colorful assault on her eyes was almost painful, especially after the last few days in the gloomy, rain-darkened forest. Which seemed like a lifetime ago now. Dare she admit she missed it?
Leaning on the lanai railing, under the overhang of tropical trees, Jimi inhaled and gazed out at the beach just steps away. She couldn’t get over how gorgeous everything was. She closed her eyes and listened to the waves. Jimi loved the sound of the surf. Maybe she’d been a mermaid in a previous life.
Opening her eyes, she looked up and down the beach, absolutely stunned by how beautiful it was. Past the scent of frangipani, which she loved, was the scent of the sand and sea. The earth. Nature. Heat from the sun. The air so heavy and sultry with that special smell of Hawaii, it was intoxicating. Gone was the aroma of horse, leather, rain, wet earth...and Dallas. Her chest clenched and she gripped the railing until the wave of pain receded.
I miss him.
The sun dappled through the trees, splashing a kaleidoscope of greens and yellows across the lanai. But she hardly noticed any of it, staring off and lost in the vast expanse of the sea beyond. She thought about everything on her plate when she got home. All the work, the deadlines. She would have to make sure she rested and recharged her batteries so she would be in top form.
“Well, now what?” Jimi murmured. “Everything almost seems so pointless without Dallas. Will I really be able to relax and basically do nothing?” She doubted it, especially with so much that was suddenly weighing on her mind. She was waiting to hear about the revamped plans for the wedding. So there was that.